Business Development Workshops

BWorkshop

Interactive Live and Online Workshops!

The Economic Opportunity and Development Division works with a variety of local organizations and professional groups to provide business development programs and services to Cambridge residents, entrepreneurs, and businesses. 

Click here for a list of previously recorded workshops and events that are now available for viewing.

Please note - Registrations close 2 HOURS BEFORE the workshop begins (unless otherwise noted below). Classes may be cancelled or postponed due to lack of registration. Please call the Division at 617/349-4637 to check the status of a workshop.  

All workshops are free for Cambridge business owners and residents unless otherwise noted. If you have questions about our workshops, please contact Rona Abrahams at rabrahams@cambridgema.gov or 617/349-4637.       

March

Developing Your Own Website Through Squarespace

  • Date: Tuesdays, March 4, 11, 18, and 25, 2025
  • Time: 6:00 - 8:00 P.M. 
  • Location: Online via Zoom.
  • Description: Create your own website with modern tools from Squarespace as you learn about website structure, content management, and learn the tools to keep your website up to date. With scheduling and commerce features, Squarespace is one of the leading resources for creating and maintaining a professional website. Hosted by CCTV and instructed by Vinny Prezioso.
  • Registration is required. This class is full. This class is limited to 20 people. Cambridge residents and business owners will be prioritized. Please contact Rona Abrahams at rabrahams@cambridgema.gov if you need assistance with registration or would like to be placed on the wait list. 

April

Small Business Succession Planning Workshop: Building A Legacy Beyond Ownership

  • Date: Tuesday, April 1, 2025
  • Time: 6:00 – 8:00 P.M.
  • Location: City Hall Annex, 344 Broadway, 2nd Floor, Cambridge or online via Zoom. You will receive a Zoom link after registration.
  • Description: Are you a small business owner thinking about retiring or transferring your business? Join us for a hands-on workshop to learn how to confidently prepare for your business’s future. We will cover the basics of succession planning, including assessing readiness, defining clear goals, and understanding financial and operational considerations. Open to business owners who live or operate in Cambridge. This workshop is presented by Revby and sponsored by the City of Cambridge Community Development Department.
  • Registration is required by Thursday, March 27th at 5:00 P.M. Please contact Sarah Jane Huber at shuber@cambridgema.gov is you have any questions. 

Food Business Coaching Webinar Part 1: Guided Self Assessment

  • Date: Tuesday, April 15, 2025
  • Time:9:00 - 11:00 A.M.
  • Location: Online via Zoom. 
  • Description: Are you a food business owner and unsure of how to position your business for success in 2025 Join our workshop to identify your business’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, setting you and your business up for future success. All participants should leave with a better understanding of the current state of their business and with some questions to further reflect upon. This workshop is presented by Prepshift. Open to all. Cambridge businesses who attend these workshops may be eligible for free, one-on-one coaching assistance with Prepshift. To check your eligibility, click here.
  • Registration is required. Please contact Jared Staley at jstaley@cambridgema.gov with questions. 

Food Business Coaching Webinar Part 2:Food Business Financiales 2025

  • Date: Tuesday, April 22, 2025
  • Time:9:00 - 11:00 A.M.
  • Location: Online via Zoom. 
  • Description: Feeling overwhelmed by your food business financials? Join our workshop focused on demystifying financial best practices, typical financial statements, and how to get organized. Attendees will be introduced to financial best practices including how often to consult an accountant, what financial admin work you can do yourself, how often to look at profit and loss statements and a balance sheet, and where to start if you haven’t had a chance to organize your financials. This workshop will also incorporate references to the financial realities of food businesses in a post-Covid environment, including how to manage any existing government grants, considerations for inflation and re-financing of debt, and how to anticipate raising wage rates for employees. This workshop is presented by Prepshift. Open to all. Cambridge businesses who attend these workshops may be eligible for free, one-on-one coaching assistance with Prepshift. To check your eligibility, click here.
  • Registration is required. Please contact Jared Staley at jstaley@cambridgema.gov with questions. 

Food Business Coaching Webinar Part 1: Guided Self Assessment

  • Date: Tuesday, April 29, 2025
  • Time:9:00 - 11:00 A.M.
  • Location: Online via Zoom. 
  • Description: Have you wondered how today’s customers interact with food businesses? Are you wanting to attract new customers to your food business? Join this workshop to learn more about the typical customer patterns of food business patrons. Customer needs and interests constantly evolve but Covid-19 grafted a host of new concerns onto existing customer patterns. In this workshop, attendees will be presented with a review of common customer personas that include psychographics, needs, and pain points. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of today’s customers and will be guided through some specific examples of how one’s business can make certain changes that will best cater to those new customer needs. Attendees will also explore customer profiles for untraditional shoppers including students, government or institution staff who purchase items for catering events, and other businesses as part of a peer-to-peer network. This workshop is presented by Prepshift. Open to all. Cambridge businesses who attend these workshops may be eligible for free, one-on-one coaching assistance with Prepshift. To check your eligibility, click here.
  • Registration is required. Please contact Jared Staley at  jstaley@cambridgema.gov with questions.